The Vermont was my favorite Make-Out spot in the 60s. What I found that ushers usually did at Drive-Ins was butt-in on that activity.
My most vivid memory of the Vermont was being there with a Girl one night in my almost Brand-New 1965 Corvair Corsa. Two drunks pulled into the next spot and proceeded to bump me with their door as they got the speaker. When I asked the driver to be careful, he said “Sure, Pal” and whacked it again. A little later, when both went to the snackbar, I got a Ballpean hammer out of my trunk and whacked their front fender a few times. Then, I quickly left.
The Aladdin was a great small theater in a good neighborhood when I lived just down the street on Tahquitz in the early-mid ‘70s. It was the ONLY nearby indoor theater. The Desert on Fargo was already showing Spanish movies and the only other nearby theater was a VERY small theater in Palm Desert which had been converted from office space, I think. Palm Springs, of course, had numerous indoor Theaters. Most of those closed during the summer, though. I believe the Plaza stayed open all year.
I remember going there one evening to find the “second” billed movie already playing. When I asked what happened to the other (Rancho Deluxe), the manager said it was so bad and so many people complained, that they pulled it. To this day, I haven’t seen Rancho Deluxe even though it’s been on TV numerous times.
Living in Indio in the 70s, we spent many nights at the Drive-In. During warm weather, sitting in Lawn Chairs and Drinking Beer there and at the one in Palm Springs.
What was the name of the Drive-In Theater in Cathedral City on Hwy 111 which was the best in the area during the 70s ?
I went to the La Mar often during the years I lived in Manhattan Beach during the 60s. For a couple of those years, I lived at 903 Highland and would walk the short distance. A typical small theater from the 30-40s construction period. Well-maintained during the years I attended.
It’s ironic that the only areas where the old theaters remain (in whatever form) are those that are economically-depressed. In Manhattan Beach and the South Bay, land is too valuable.
BTW, A pictorial history published by the Manhattan Beach Historical Society shows the construction and opening of the La Mar in 1938, rather than the 1943 listed above.
Although I can’t remember WHEN the street cars disappeared, looking at the Two different 1955 photos, it appears that the second one looking South has a 1957 Blue-White Ford parked in front of the United Artists theater.
Back in the 50s, there was a small and ordinary theater on Vermont around 90th which I attended and “Thought” was also called the Vermont. Looking at Google Street-View, I see a small Church which appears to be a former theater listed at 9115 S. Vermont. It fits. Wonder if anyone knows anything about it ? Is that location listed under some other name ?
The Vacant Lot at the NW Corner of 111th and Main shown on Google was the location of the Cairo. I lived as a child at 131 W. 112th St and attended many Saturday Matinees at the Cairo in the very early 50s. 10 cent admission. I don’t remember when it closed forever or whether the building was still standing after the 1965 Watts Riots when much of that neighborhood was destroyed. Like many old theaters in decaying neighborhoods, it was a church for awhile and deserted after that.
I attended this theater many times to see 2nd run movies in the 50s and I “thought” I had been there as late as 1961. Is it certain that it closed in the late 50s ?
My Grandmother owned a Boarding house on Grace West of Hillcrest in Inglewood throughout the 50s (not the 60s)and often took me along when she shopped at Stegs Restaurant Supply on West Blvd. The building was cavernous and oddly-configured for a warehouse so it was likely the old theater location.
That was BERK’s Liquor store (not bar) just to the North. The bar was “The Office” in the 50s and 60s.
The Vermont was my favorite Make-Out spot in the 60s. What I found that ushers usually did at Drive-Ins was butt-in on that activity.
My most vivid memory of the Vermont was being there with a Girl one night in my almost Brand-New 1965 Corvair Corsa. Two drunks pulled into the next spot and proceeded to bump me with their door as they got the speaker. When I asked the driver to be careful, he said “Sure, Pal” and whacked it again. A little later, when both went to the snackbar, I got a Ballpean hammer out of my trunk and whacked their front fender a few times. Then, I quickly left.
Saw quite a few movies at the Rio living in South L.A. early and mid-60s. Used to get my haircut at a barber shop just to the North.
Interestingly, that Dec ‘58 ad tells me where I was during that week since I saw “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” at the Ritz in Inglewood.
Answering my own question, it was the Sun-Aire.
The Aladdin was a great small theater in a good neighborhood when I lived just down the street on Tahquitz in the early-mid ‘70s. It was the ONLY nearby indoor theater. The Desert on Fargo was already showing Spanish movies and the only other nearby theater was a VERY small theater in Palm Desert which had been converted from office space, I think. Palm Springs, of course, had numerous indoor Theaters. Most of those closed during the summer, though. I believe the Plaza stayed open all year.
I remember going there one evening to find the “second” billed movie already playing. When I asked what happened to the other (Rancho Deluxe), the manager said it was so bad and so many people complained, that they pulled it. To this day, I haven’t seen Rancho Deluxe even though it’s been on TV numerous times.
Living in Indio in the 70s, we spent many nights at the Drive-In. During warm weather, sitting in Lawn Chairs and Drinking Beer there and at the one in Palm Springs.
What was the name of the Drive-In Theater in Cathedral City on Hwy 111 which was the best in the area during the 70s ?
When I arrived in Indio in 1970, the Desert Theater on Fargo Street was in a “Declining” area.
I went to the La Mar often during the years I lived in Manhattan Beach during the 60s. For a couple of those years, I lived at 903 Highland and would walk the short distance. A typical small theater from the 30-40s construction period. Well-maintained during the years I attended.
It’s ironic that the only areas where the old theaters remain (in whatever form) are those that are economically-depressed. In Manhattan Beach and the South Bay, land is too valuable.
BTW, A pictorial history published by the Manhattan Beach Historical Society shows the construction and opening of the La Mar in 1938, rather than the 1943 listed above.
Although I can’t remember WHEN the street cars disappeared, looking at the Two different 1955 photos, it appears that the second one looking South has a 1957 Blue-White Ford parked in front of the United Artists theater.
Back in the 50s, there was a small and ordinary theater on Vermont around 90th which I attended and “Thought” was also called the Vermont. Looking at Google Street-View, I see a small Church which appears to be a former theater listed at 9115 S. Vermont. It fits. Wonder if anyone knows anything about it ? Is that location listed under some other name ?
The Vacant Lot at the NW Corner of 111th and Main shown on Google was the location of the Cairo. I lived as a child at 131 W. 112th St and attended many Saturday Matinees at the Cairo in the very early 50s. 10 cent admission. I don’t remember when it closed forever or whether the building was still standing after the 1965 Watts Riots when much of that neighborhood was destroyed. Like many old theaters in decaying neighborhoods, it was a church for awhile and deserted after that.
I attended this theater many times to see 2nd run movies in the 50s and I “thought” I had been there as late as 1961. Is it certain that it closed in the late 50s ?
My Grandmother owned a Boarding house on Grace West of Hillcrest in Inglewood throughout the 50s (not the 60s)and often took me along when she shopped at Stegs Restaurant Supply on West Blvd. The building was cavernous and oddly-configured for a warehouse so it was likely the old theater location.